Best must-see destinations in Asia
Best must-see destinations in Asia
Famous historic monuments and iconic cultural sites across Asia
Asia's must-see destinations span an extraordinary range of experience, from the ancient temple complexes and imperial cities of East and Southeast Asia to the Himalayan landscapes of the subcontinent and the volcanic island chains of the Pacific rim. The continent contains a disproportionate share of the world's most visited sites and the infrastructure around the best-known destinations is well developed, with transport links, accommodation and guided access mature across most of the major circuits.
The density of significant destinations within individual countries rewards extended itineraries that move slowly rather than covering maximum ground. Several of the continent's most celebrated sites require permits or managed access and advance booking is essential during peak season. Lesser-known destinations within easy reach of the headline sites often deliver comparable quality with a fraction of the visitor numbers.
Visa requirements, health precautions and seasonal timing vary considerably across a continent that spans dozens of countries and climate zones, and research specific to each destination is essential rather than optional. Overtourism is a serious issue at the most celebrated sites and early morning visits make a practical difference to both access and atmosphere. Your money goes a long way across much of the continent making extended multi-country itineraries practical on modest budgets.
Lists by region
State/Prefecture in China
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
Victoria Peak offers panoramic views over Hong Kong's harbour and skyline from its summit. A steep tram has carried passengers up the slope since 1888. Visitors can ride the tram before walking a loop trail around the peak. The Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island sits a ferry ride away.
City in Thailand
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
The Grand Palace once served as the official residence of Thailand's kings in central Bangkok. Wat Arun's spire is decorated with thousands of pieces of broken porcelain. Visitors can cross the river by ferry to view the temple from the water. Street food stalls surround both landmarks well into the evening.
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
Gardens by the Bay's Supertrees rise up to 50 metres tall, covered in living plants and vines. They light up in a synchronised show set to music after dark. Visitors can walk an elevated skywalk between the tallest structures. Marina Bay Sands' rooftop pool overlooks the gardens from across the water.
City in Turkey
Istanbul
Where East meets West in stunning contrast
Hagia Sophia has served as both a Byzantine church and an Ottoman mosque across nearly 1,500 years. The Blue Mosque faces it directly across a small park in the old city. Visitors can wander both landmarks before browsing the covered Grand Bazaar nearby. The Bosphorus strait divides the city between Europe and Asia.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Shibuya Crossing sees as many as 3,000 pedestrians pass through at once when the lights change. Giant video screens surround the intersection on every side. Visitors can view the crossing from a cafe window on an upper floor nearby. Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa offers a quieter, older side of the city.
City in South Korea
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the main royal residence of the Joseon dynasty for centuries. Guards in traditional dress perform a changing ceremony at its main gate several times a day. Visitors can rent a hanbok to wear while touring the palace grounds. Bukchon Hanok Village's traditional houses sit just up the hill behind it.
City in Vietnam
Hanoi
Where tradition meets modern vibrancy
Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, ringed by narrow winding streets. A red bridge leads to a small temple island in the middle of the water. Visitors can watch a water puppet show performed just steps from the lake. Street vendors sell pho from tiny plastic stools along nearby alleys.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Fushimi Inari Shrine winds up a mountainside beneath thousands of vermilion torii gates. Each gate was donated by a business or individual hoping for good fortune. Visitors can hike the full trail to the summit in a couple of hours. Kinkaku-ji's golden pavilion offers a very different reflection across its still pond nearby.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Tanah Lot temple perches on a rock formation just offshore in Bali, surrounded by water at high tide. Tegalalang's terraced rice paddies cascade down a nearby hillside in bright green steps. Visitors can watch the sunset silhouette the temple from the beach below. Uluwatu's clifftop temple adds another dramatic ocean view further south.
City in Israel
Jerusalem
Ancient History Meets Modern Culture
The Western Wall remains the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. Pilgrims tuck folded prayer notes into cracks between its ancient stones. Visitors can walk through the Old City's narrow lanes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre nearby. The Dome of the Rock's golden dome rises just above the same skyline.
City in China
Beijing
Ancient history meets modern dynamism
The Great Wall stretches for thousands of kilometres across the hills north of Beijing. Sections like Mutianyu and Badaling remain popular day trips from the capital. Visitors can walk restored watchtowers along the ridgeline for sweeping views. The Forbidden City's red walls sit closer to the city centre itself.
Temple in Cambodia
Angkor Wat
Timeless stone guardians echo ancient devotion
Angkor Wat ranks as the largest religious monument on Earth, built by the Khmer Empire. Its towers were designed to represent the peaks of Mount Meru in Hindu cosmology. Visitors can arrive before dawn to watch the towers silhouette against the sunrise. Smaller temples like Ta Prohm sit nearby, swallowed by tree roots.
City in India
Delhi
A Kaleidoscope of History and Culture
The Red Fort's sandstone walls have overlooked Old Delhi since Mughal emperors built it in the 1600s. India's prime minister still delivers a national address from its ramparts each August. Visitors can walk through its gates into courtyards and pavilions inside. The nearby spice markets of Chandni Chowk stay busy from morning until night.
Historic Site in Jordan
Petra
Ancient city carved into rose-red stone
Petra's Treasury facade emerges suddenly at the end of a narrow canyon called the Siq. Nabataean builders carved the structure into pink sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can ride a horse or walk through the gorge to reach it. Further inside, a monastery and hundreds of tombs remain carved into the rock.
Other lists you may like
Discover
Top must-see destinations and bucket list places
The world's must-see destinations are those where the density of significant experiences across landscape, culture, history and food justifies the effort and cost of getting there.…
Read more
Discover
Best must-see destinations in Africa
Africa's must-see destinations combine wildlife, landscape and ancient history in concentrations found nowhere else, with the continent's great safari ecosystems, Saharan…
Read more
Discover
Best must-see destinations in Europe
Europe's must-see destinations are among the most visited places on earth, with a concentration of historic cities, iconic landmarks and UNESCO-listed sites that has drawn…
Read more
Discover
Best must-see destinations in North America
North America's must-see destinations range from the canyon and wilderness landscapes of the west and the dense cultural offer of its major eastern cities to the ancient…
Read more
Discover
Best must-see destinations in Oceania
Oceania's must-see destinations are defined by natural spectacle and geographic isolation, with landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, glaciation and the extraordinary…
Read more
Discover
Best must-see destinations in South America
North America's must-see destinations range from the canyon and wilderness landscapes of the west and the dense cultural offer of its major eastern cities to the ancient…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
